Senior Owlets: The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

This month, the Senior Owlets read The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness.

Todd Hewitt has never seen a woman. His mother was the last to die. He doesn’t remember her. When his people came to the planet to colonize it, everyone was infected with the Noise germ. The infection caused men’s thoughts to become audible. The infection also killed all women. Todd is the youngest, counting down the days until his 13th birthday. The he will be considered a man, and let into the secrets. But the, Todd from the girl in The Swamp.

Comments from the Senior Owlets:
Believable characters.
Really liked the dog, Manchee
Author did incredible job with all characters.
Characters were all very distinct and believable.
Really liked the portrayal of The Noise. The different fonts helped.
Some parts dragged.
Possibly more for a male audience with some of the violence.
Very deep themes.
Very symbolic.
Great discussion.
Made reader think.

Final score: 8.025

For the next meeting (on Tuesday, February 7th, 2012) the book up for discussion is Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli.

From the book’s description:

Stargirl. From the day she arrives at quiet Mica High in a burst of color and sound, the hallways hum with the murmur of “Stargirl, Stargirl.” She captures Leo Borlock’s heart with just one smile. She sparks a school-spirit revolution with just one cheer. The students of Mica High are enchanted. At first.

Then they turn on her. Stargirl is suddenly shunned for everything that makes her different, and Leo, panicked and desperate with love, urges her to become the very thing that can destroy her: normal. In this celebration of nonconformity, Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli weaves a tense, emotional tale about the perils of popularity and the thrill and inspiration of first love.

If you’re a kid in grades 6 to 9 and are interested in joining Senior Owlets, we’d love to have you. Membership is free and you can join any time. If you’d like more information, call us at 403-287-9557, email us at owlsnestbooks@shaw.ca or just pop into one of the meetings.

Published in: on January 11, 2012 at 1:53 pm  Leave a Comment  

Fledglings: I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

In the hubbub of the holiday season, we’ve fallen a bit behind on posting the reviews from Owlets and Fledglings, but as they say: better late than never.

The December selection for Fledglings was I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak.

Ed Kennedy admits he is a screw up.  He drifted in school, didn’t go to university, and now drives a cab because it’s easy.  But all that changes when Ed is hailed a hero after stopping a bank robber.  And now he has received a card in the mail.  It lists times and addresses.  Should he follow them?  Ed is not sure what to do, or what it all means.

Comments from the Fledglings:

Liked the characters.
Characters had depth and reasoning.
Liked interchange between characters.
Found them believeable.
Ending was a bit confusing.
Opening chapters sucked the reader in.
The whole idea was intriguing.
Really liked the characters, the plot, the seting.
Believeable dialogue.
Very funny in places, poignant in others.
Even secondary characters were well done.
Kept interest to very end.
Even the stinky dog was great.
Very deep book, multi-leveled.
Really like the author’s self insertion.

Final score: 8.8928571 out of 10.

The next meeting for Fledglings will be on Tuesday, January 24, 2012.  The book up for discussion is Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly.

From the book’s description:

BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.

PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape.

Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.

If your a teen in grades 10 through 12 and are interested in joining Fledglings, please email us at owlsnestbooks@shaw.ca, call us at 403-287-9557 or just drop into one of the meetings.

Published in: on January 3, 2012 at 2:34 pm  Leave a Comment  

Fledglings: The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

The Fledglings book club met this week to discuss The Luxe by Anna Godbersen. 

1899. Manhatten, New York.  The Holland family is the envy of many.  They are old money.  The daughters, Elizabeth and Diana are everything young debutantes are expected to be.  Society is unaware that the family is struggling financially after Mr. Holland’s death.  It seems Elizabeth may have to marry rich to keep the family afloat.  But Elzabeth’s carriage slips on the icy roads and overturns near the East River.  Her body is never found. 

Comments from the Fledglings:

Well written. 
Typical plot.
Loved the descriptions of settings and clothing. 
Very like novels from the late 1800s. 
Setting was the best part of the book. 
Story itself was quite predictable. 
Descriptions were fabulous.
Characters were very believeable.
All of the characters were well drawn and had both good and bad qualities. 
Definitely better than thought it would be.
Everyone loved the cover — DRESSES!
Not a typical teen roamnce. 

Final rating: 7.625 out of 10

The next Fledglings meeting will be Tuesday, December 13th at 4:30pm.  The book being discussed is I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak. 

protect the diamonds
survive the clubs
dig deep through the spades
feel the hearts

Ed Kennedy is an underage cabdriver without much of a future. He’s pathetic at playing cards, hopelessly in love with his best friend, Audrey, and utterly devoted to his coffee-drinking dog, the Doorman. His life is one of peaceful routine and incompetence until he inadvertently stops a bank robbery.

That’s when the first ace arrives in the mail.

That’s when Ed becomes the messenger.

Chosen to care, he makes his way through town helping and hurting (when necessary) until only one question remains: Who’s behind Ed’s mission?

If your a teen in grades 10 through 12 and are interested in joining Fledglings, please email us at owlsnestbooks@shaw.ca, call us at 403-287-9557 or just drop into one of the meetings.

Published in: on November 16, 2011 at 4:45 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Senior Owlets: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

This month’s selection for Senior Owlets was The Maze Runner by James Dashner. 

He wakes up in an elevator.  The only thing he remembers is his name: Thomas.  The door opens, and he steps out into The Glade.  There are other boys there.  They have all arrived the same way Thomas did, with their memories wiped clean.  Beyond the stone walls of The Glade is The Maze, where the wall change every night, where the Grievers wait.  Every day the boys run the Maze, trying to solve it. 

Comments from the Senior Owlets:

Really enjoyed. 
Well written.
Excellent concept.
Liked the characters. 
Left with more questions after reading. 
Interesting idea.
Makes one think of a great computer; Greivers were the viruses and kids were the programmes. 
Wonder about the mind cleanse…was it selective for each?  How did certain characters have skills such as cooking?
Who were the first kids?
Kept reader interested. 
Liked how you didn’t notice things until Thomas did.

Final score: 8.866 out of 10

The next meeting of Senior Owlets will be on December 6th at 4:30pm.  The book up for discussion is The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly. 

The summer of 1899 is hot in Calpurnia’s sleepy Texas town, and there aren’t a lot of good ways to stay cool. Her mother has a new wind machine, but instead, Callie’s contemplating cutting off her hair, one sneaky inch at a time. She’s also spending a lot of time at the river with her notoriously cantankerous grandfather, an avid naturalist. But just when Callie and her grandfather are about to make an amazing discovery, the reality of Callie’s situation catches up with her. She’s a girl at the turn of the century, expected to cook and clean and sew. What a waste of time! Will Callie ever find a way to take control of her own destiny?

If you’re a kid in grades 6 to 9 and are interested in joining Senior Owlets, we’d lo’ve to have you.  Membership is free and you can join any time.  If you’d like more information, call us at 403-287-9557, email us at owlsnestbooks@shaw.ca or just pop into one of the meetings.

Published in: on November 4, 2011 at 9:35 am  Leave a Comment  
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Fledglings: The Amanda Project by Amanda Valentino & Melissa Kantor

This month’s selection for our teen book club, Fledglings, was The Amanda Project by Amanda Valentino & Melissa Kantor. 

Mysterious, charismatic, and one of a kind — the only way to find Amanda is to think like Amanda. When enigmatic freshman Amanda Valentino arrived at Endeavor High, she chose three people — Callie, Hal, and Nia — to guide her through the choppy waters of her new school. Except she didn’t tell them about each other. When Amanda leaves, the three must reluctantly work together to figure out why. But once they start piecing together the cryptic clues that Amanda herself is leaving for them, they realize that everything they thought they knew about her is false. The more they dig, the mystery of where — and who — Amanda is deepens.

Comments from the Fledglings:

Much better book than thought would be.
Great characters.
Good chracter development.
Good documentation of social stratas in schools.
Very believeable characters.
Excellent mystery.
Kept you engaged.
Modern day mystery that captured attention. 
Lack of romance appreciated.
Lots of questions left unanswered.
Would have liked it to be longer. 
Book with such impact.
Intriguing idea to link with an interactive website.
Wonder what sequels are / will be like. 

Final score: 8 out of 10.

The next Fledglings meeting will be Tuesday, November 15th at 4:30pm.  The book up for discussion will be The Luxe by Anna Godbersen.

Pretty girls in pretty dresses, partying until dawn.Irresistible boys with mischievous smiles and dangerous intentions. White lies, dark secrets, and scandalous hookups. This is Manhattan, 1899.Beautiful sisters Elizabeth and Diana Holland rule Manhattan’s social scene. Or so it appears. When the girls discover their status among New York City’s elite is far from secure, suddenly everyone — from the backstabbing socialite Penelope Hayes, to the debonair bachelor Henry Schoonmaker, to the spiteful maid Lina Broud — threatens Elizabeth’s and Diana’s golden future.With the fate of the Hollands resting on her shoulders, Elizabeth must choose between family duty and true love. But when her carriage overturns near the East River, the girl whose glittering life lit up the city’s gossip pages is swallowed by the rough current. As all of New York grieves, some begin to wonder whether life at the top proved too much for this ethereal beauty, or if, perhaps, someone wanted to see Manhattan’s most celebrated daughter disappear…In a world of luxury and deception, where appearance matters above everything and breaking the social code means running the risk of being ostracized forever, five teenagers lead dangerously scandalous lives. This thrilling trip to the age of innocence is anything but innocent.

If your a teen in grades 10 through 12 and are interested in joining Fledglings, please email us at owlsnestbooks@shaw.ca, call us at 403-287-9557 or just drop into one of the meetings.

Published in: on October 21, 2011 at 9:10 am  Leave a Comment  
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Fledglings: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

On Tuesday, Fledglings had their first meeting of the year.  The book up for discussion was City of Bones by Cassandra Clare.

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder — much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing — not even a smear of blood — to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

Comments included:
Picked up as the book progressed.
The opening drew reader in.
Excellent imagery. 
Liked writing style.
Secondary characters were the extremely well-drawn.
Underlying current of humour…very subtle.
While romance is part of the story, it is not taking primary place.
Characters are very complex.
Enjoyed how author used different mythologies in the story.
Demons were more true to recognized original forms. 
Liked the author’s writing stle and language. 
Stands up to a second reading. 
Lots of attention to detail — ie: rune mark and scarring. 

Final score: 6.7195714

The Amanda Project by Amanda Valentino and Melissa Kantor

The next Fledglings meeting will be Tuesday, October 18 at 4:30pm.  The book selected is The Amanda Project by Amanda Valentino and Melissa Kantor.

Mysterious, charismatic, and one of a kind; the only way to find Amanda is to think like Amanda.When enigmatic freshman Amanda Valentino arrived at Endeavor High, she chose three people; Callie, Hal, and Nia; to guide her through the choppy waters of her new school. Except she didn’t tell them about each other. When Amanda leaves, the three must reluctantly work together to figure out why. But once they start piecing together the cryptic clues that Amanda herself is leaving for them, they realize that everything they thought they knew about her is false. The more they dig, the mystery of where — and who — Amanda is deepens.

If your a teen in grades 10 through 12 and are interested in joining Fledglings, please email us at owlsnestbooks@shaw.ca, call us at 403-287-9557 or just drop into one of the meetings.

Published in: on September 22, 2011 at 6:56 pm  Comments (1)  
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Senior Owlets: The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon got a score of 6.65 out of 10 from the Senior Owlets

Senior Owlets held their first meeting of the year yesterday afternoon.  On the table for discussion was The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. 

Max Carver’s father decides to move his family out of the city and onto the seacoast during the Second World War.  Right away, Max senses the strangeness of their new home.  The clock at the station keeps perfect time, but it is running backwards.  There is a creepy garden with statues.  The house they’ve moved into has a shady past, and with the new family living there, old secrets are starting to resurface. 

Here are some of the comments from the Senior Owlets. 

It explains the writing when you know that Zafon was a screenwriter. 
The transitions would work in a movie, but lost ground in the writing. 
Liked the premise, but the writing lacks. 
Liked the building of suspense.
Wanted more details.
Disconcerting to change narrators although needed to see things from their perspecitves.
Good idea, but didn’t live up to its full potential. 
Writing style more appropriate for younger audiences, but subject  matter isn’t. 
Doesn’t stand up to a second reading. 

Final score: 6.65

Aarial, by Calgary author Collin Paulsen, will be the October Senior Owlets selection

The next Senior Owlets meeting will be on October 4th at 4:30pm.  The book under discussion is Aarial by Collin Paulson and will include a visit with the author!  (Be sure to bring your questions!) 

Dylan has never known a loving home and family.  He has been passed around through different group homes his entire life.  He is a troubled boy, miserable with his life and its challenges.  Dylan creates a fantasy world where he can do anything.  He is no longer at the mercy of others.  He is able to control is own destiny and make decisions for himself as the power of Aarial guides him on his quest. 

If you’re in grades 7-9 and are interested in joining Senior Owlets, please give us a call or visit us to register, or just drop into one of the meetings!

Published in: on September 7, 2011 at 4:32 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Summer Reading for Owlets and Fledglings

The 2010-2011 year is over for Junior Owlets, Senior Owlets & Fledglings have wrapped up for the year.  Have a look at the choices for best book of the year for each of the club. 

But we’re not going to leave you hanging until the fall.  When you’re resting up from the sprinkler jumping, bug catching and games of extreme frizbee, have a lemonade and curl up with the September and October choices for book club. 

Junior Owlets (Grades 3 – 6)
The Name of this Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch (Sept. 10th)
Attack of the Growling Eyeballs by Lin Oliver (Oct. 1st)

Senior Owlets (Grade 7 – 9)
The Price of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (Sept. 6th)
Aarial by Collin Paulson (author visit) (Oct. 4th)

Fledglings (Grades 10 and up)
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (Sept. 20th)
The Amanda Project by Amanda Valentino (Oct. 18th)

Need even more?  Stop by the store and have a look at our Book Club Wall — (now complete with the scores kids have assigned this year’s books) or chat with the staff about what we’re reading now.

Published in: on June 24, 2011 at 10:00 am  Leave a Comment  
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Fledglings: Best Book of the Year

At the final meeting of Fledglings, the members looked back on what they’ve read over the year and voted for the best book. 

Contenders were:

Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Child of Dandelions by Sheenaz Nanji
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Graceling by Kristen Cashore
Sphinx’s Princess by Esther Friesner
The Broken Thread by Linda Smith
Suicide Notes by Michael T. Ford
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
Impossible by Nancy Werlin

And the winner is:

(more…)

Published in: on June 23, 2011 at 5:01 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Fledglings: Impossible by Nancy Werlin

Impossible by Nancy Werlin, paperback, $12.50

Yesterday, the third of our book clubs, Fledglings, wrapped up a year’s great reading with Impossible by Nancy Werlin. 

Comments included:

Really enjoyed the book.
Liked the mix of realism with fairytale
Pierre was a great dog.
Book did slow down as Lucy’s pregnancy progressed.
Very well written.
Liked the concept of linking the story with the song “Scarborough Fair”.
Pace sped up in the last third of the book.
Excellent description of relationships.
Liked depiction of many different loves.
Zach is the best love interest ever. 
Very believable relationships. 
Slowed down in the middle of the book. 
Really liked the relationship development. 

Final score: 8.355

Still to be annouced: The Fledglings Best Book of the Year and summer reading for all three book clubs.

Published in: on June 22, 2011 at 2:19 pm  Leave a Comment  
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